Who and what is RANET?

Presentation Outline
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Who and what is RANET?
What does RANET do?
Core RANET principles and philosophies.
Overview of Technologies
– Satellite
– Community FM
• Where does RANET work?
Who are we?
“Just tell me where it has rained,
and I will know what to do.”
- A nomad from Niger
Who are we?
The RANET program began in Africa in 1998/9,
following the experience of Seasonal Outlook Forums.
It was recognized that benefits from advances in
science and applications could only be realized if
populations outside central cities could be reached.
- Africa: 1998/99/00 -> present
- Pacific: 2003 -> present
- Asia: 2005
Who are we?
RANET is a cooperative effort of various national,
regional, and international partners, who seek to:
- Make
weather
and
related
environmental
information more accessible and useful to rural and
resource poor populations in order to aid day-to-day
resource decisions and prepare against natural
hazards.
- Improve the dissemination capacities of national
hydro-meteorological and related national services,
NGOs, and other information producers, thereby
increasing the profile of and active value of these
organizations to local populations.
What we do?
- Awareness Building
- Partnership Development and Resource Mobilization
- Training and Capacity Development
- Web and Internet
- Community FM Radio
- HF Radio
- SMS (Cellular Text) Messaging
- Other Equipment Use and Maintenance
- RANET Community Building: Newsletters, etc
- Web Hosting
- Network Development and Management
- Maintain Satellite and Associated Server Systems
- Pilot and Training Activities
- Test and Identify Communication Solutions
Core philosophies?
All activities are done in collaboration
with, and with the approval of, the
communities and national meteorological
and associated services.
Core philosophies?
Ensuring sustainability and maintenance of
systems is a priority of all RANET activities,
therefore we encourage local ownership
and use of communication systems for
multiple purposes such as education,
health campaigns, community discussions,
etc.
Core philosophies?
RANET also works to build upon and
augment existing networks and means
of communication.
Technology?
Build Upon Existing Strengths and Systems
Emergency Manager’s Weather Information Network
RANET:
Simplified Network Diagram
FM Community Radio Stations
Wantok FM Radio Station
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A Professional Quality FM Radio Station
A complete broadcast station in a suitcase
Ideal for a Community FM Radio Station
Readily accepts any audio source
Can be solar/wind powered for remote communities
The Wantok
Suitcase FM
Radio
Broadcast
System
FM Community Radio Stations
Applications for the Wantok SBS-1
– Low cost, low power community radio station
– Education and training
– A tool for Socio-Economic Development
– Ideal for Disaster response
HF Radio E-Mail
HF Email
– Email sent via a HF Radio Transceiver
– Requires a special radio modem
– Modem interfaces to PC or laptop
– Software can interface with Outlook Express
Garry’s HF voice
and email station
HF Radio E-Mail
• What is HF Email
– Cost effective remote communications system
– With training can be easy to install and operate
– Many countries already have suitable HF
systems and equipment
Typical HF
Email system
set-up
Other Technologies
- Web Hosting
(e.g.- http://www.meteo-uganda.net)
- SMS
(Cellular Based Text Messaging)
- Customized Internet Push-Pull Software
(Warnings and Time Sensitive Information)
Current RANET budget - $$ support
• RANET relies on significant – in-kind
and local resources
• USAID and AUSAID - and other donors
provide some base support and on an
activity-by-activity basis
• - $700,000- $1,000,000 / year
Web Site & Contact Information
•RANET
info@ranetproject.net
http://www.ranetproject.net
THANK YOU AND RANET
WELCOMES YOUR
PARTNERSHIP!
RANET in the Pacific
- July 2003 -- held workshop in Honolulu,
Hawaii with broad representation from national
and regional partners to assess current
capacities and ways forward.
- August 2003 at 9RMSD meeting -- presented
recommendations from Honolulu workshop
and proposed formation of steering committee
for RANET.
RANET in the Pacific
- March 2004 -- steering committee met and
identified next steps.
(SC membership:
SPREP, NHMSs, SIDS.Net, PEACESAT,
EMWIN, PI-GCOS, and others.)
- December 2004 – Australian Bureau of
Meteorology began operational management
of Asia-Pacific satellite broadcast on RANET.
RANET in the Pacific
- Demonstration activities have been established
in Micronesia, Vanuatu, and Niue.
- In Niue, FM community radio stations and nobattery receivers, with HF e-mail equipment,
proved valuable for inter- and intra- island
communications following Tropical Cyclone Heta.
RANET in Africa
- July 2004: Established RALT – RANET
Africa Leadership Team in 2004
- Some 15 countries with various RANET
activities – many active for 2 or more years.
- Began intra-regional exchange and program
development between countries in early 2004.